PSALM 5 - Morning Prayers

INTRODUCTION. 

Read Psalm 5. 

Like many of David's Psalms, Psalm 5 starts with a plea, but ends in confidence, as he eagerly awaits God's promises. In a number of Bible versions, this psalm is intitled `David's Morning Prayer'.  We know, as we have read in Psalms 1-4 that David knows the truth, that without the Lord at his side it is difficult to overcome what the devil might have in store, to work through discouragements, or simply to take each day as it comes.

"David refused to stumble about stoop-shouldered, carrying his burdens throughout the day. He took his needs to the Lord each morning."  Charles R Swindoll.

What a difference a prayer makes to a day. Jesus often went off on his own to pray, or prayed with his disciples. He taught them to pray, what we now call `The Lord's Prayer' (Matthew 6, Luke 11), and it is interesting to see that this prayer is in a similar format to that of David's, written many years before.

GOD FIRST - Giving him the glory and honour as a loving and merciful Father.

PSALMIST (OURSELVES) SECOND: Coming to God with our needs and desires, with eager anticipation of his intervention. Then seeking the will of our Father whatever circumstance He places us in.

OTHERS (OUR ENEMIES) THIRD: David acknowledges, as Jesus did, that God was stronger than any evil that exists in the world. With our powerful Protector and Saviour on our side, we can persevere through any difficult circumstance.

OTHERS (THE RIGHTEOUS) FOURTH:  Like all righteous children of God, we too can grasp God's promises.  Having given our burdens to the Lord and replaced them with joy, knowing we are covered with a `protective shield', we can take our place in God's Kingdom.

BRING OUR `PLEAS' TO GOD IN THE MORNING. 

Read Psalm 5:1-3

One of the Public Schools I taught in used to start each assembly with the Lord's Prayer.  The principal, who was not only a wonderful `professional mentor', but also a spiritual pillar in the community, used to start each day with prayer.  Near the end of my time there, he started inviting the Chaplain and myself to join him. We would pray for both the needs of the children, their families and staff members in the school community. Most of all, we simply covered each day with prayer.  This did not necessarily take any difficulties we would face away, but it gave us confidence, knowing we need not face any situation alone. It was known in Bundaberg as `one of the schools to send your children to', because of the positive and peaceful atmosphere that prevailed.

David prayed in the morning, which we have already identified as the best time for most people. We may have some burdens from the night before, we may wake up feeling depressed, or we may simply want to start our day with joy and confidence, for `when darkness gives way to light, contemplation yields insight'.

"Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5 (NLT)

"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassion never fails.  They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22&23 (NLT)

"In the early morning, while it is still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, went away to a secluded place and was praying there."  Mark 1:35. (NLT)

1a) What is the best time you find to pray?

b) Why do you think many people find the morning the best time?

David was becoming increasingly discouraged, yet he prayed with eager anticipation.  He knew God would answer his prayers.  He starts with the words: `Give ear (listen) to my words.....consider my groaning.....heed my cry.'  At first it is a simple plea for God to listen to his needs.  Then he becomes more burdened and his plea grows stronger and he seeks specific help from the Lord.

We need to be specific with our needs, even though we know God knows them before we ask. Humbly, yet not with timidity or vagueness, we need to come boldly in a confession of faith.

"We are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him?" 1 John 5:14 (NLT)

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you could say to the mountain, `Move from here to there' and it would move.  Nothing would be impossible."  Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

1) GOD  - HONOUR AND PRAISE. 


Read Psalm 5:4-6, Luke 11:1&2.

Just as David knew of the importance of prayer, Jesus' disciples had been watching Him as He prayed, and wanted to learn how to pray.  We, as his disciples, can take this teaching to heart too.

In both David's prayer and the Lord's Prayer, we are first introduced to an omnipotent (all powerful), all `loving God.  A God who deserves all our honour and praise, for he is the conqueror of evil and `takes no pleasure in wickedness'. He wishes only to bless us according to His will. God is for us and not against us, and wants to be with us through all difficult circumstances.

2) How can we pray, showing that God is truly the most important person in our lives?

2) OURSELVES  - BRINGING OUR NEEDS BEFORE HIM. 

Read Psalm 5:7&8, Matthew 6:10-12, Luke 11:5-13

David then focuses on his own needs: "Lead me in righteousness because of my foes, make your way straight before me".   David was able to come before the Lord with his needs, for he truly believed in a God who would meet them.  He prayed, like Jesus did, according to the will of his Father God, and sought to serve Him, living a righteous life.

"So here's what I want you to do. God helping you: take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God has done for you, is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without thinking. Instead fix your attention on God.  You'll be changed from the insight out.  Readily recognise what He wants from you and quickly respond to it."  Romans 12:1&2 (The Message).

3.  a) When was the last time you truly offered yourselves in service to the Lord?

b) How do we know when we are following God's will and not our own?


3) OTHERS  - EVEN OUR ENEMIES. 

Read Psalm 5:9&10, Matthew 6:12-15

David knew that the Lord despised evil. He described his enemies as liars, foul talkers, guilty of injustices an rebellions. Yet, he also acknowledges that God is the one who dispenses justice and mercy.  As righteous children of God we need not fear our enemies or have a revengeful spirit.  As Jesus taught us, when we prayed with a forgiving heart, we would be delivered from evil and bitterness, as God would fight our battles for us.

"Never pay back evil for evil........ Never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God, for the scriptures say: "I will take revenge, I will pay them back" says the Lord." 
 Romans 12:17&19 (NLT)

4. a) This is probably one of the hardest things God asks of us - to forgive our enemies.  But what can happen to us when we have a vengeful spirit? 

b) What happens when we have a forgiving spirit?

4) SALVATION FOR THE RIGHTEOUS.  

Read Psalm 5:11&12

Finally David looks at the joy of the righteous - God's promise that we who have received salvation can look forward to a place in God's Kingdom, and the Kingdom of His Son. We will be `surrounded by God's shield of love' and we will be singing His praises.

5a) Is their evidence of joy in your life?

b) How can you be sure of God's salvation and protection?

c) What is the greatest blessing you have to be thankful for?

CONCLUSION

Having given God his `morning burdens', David now grasps hold of God's promises, and is filled with joy. Next time you meet with the Lord to pray, be it morning, evening or any time of the day, follow David's leading and the teaching of Jesus:

* Review God's attributes.
* Bring before him your burdens and needs.
* Seek opportunities to follow His will and serve Him.
* Remind yourself that God is greater than evil, and He wants you to have a forgiving spirit.
* Recall God's promises, especially the one that gives you confidence as a child of God, in salvation and a place in His Kingdom.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

"Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name.
May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive them that sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen." 


* "Living the Psalms" (2012) Charles Swindoll, Worthy Publishing

* "The Holy Bible, New Living Translation" (1996) Tyndale House Publishers

* The Message (2002) Eugene H Peterson, NavPress Publishing.